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Gov DeSantis says bars can now open at 50% inside; 100% outside - including restaurant bars starting Friday June 5th. Movie theaters and bowling alleys to open with 50% capacity. Does not include hard hit Miami, Broward, Palm Beach counties.

Given the choice to stay at home and risk a hurricane or be at risk of COVID-19 - many Floridians say they will consider staying home. Forty two percent of Floridians surveyed by AAA said that they are less likely to evacuate for a storm this year over fears of contracting the new coronavirus. In fact, 29% said they would not leave their homes if they were warned to evacuate, but that number decreased with the intensity of the storm. Eighty percent said they would leave for a Category 2 hurricane or greater. A third of those questioned did tell pollsters they are more concerned about hurricanes this season than they were last year, but the survey showed more than half (52%) of residents do not have an emergency plan. You can prepare by downloading the News 96.5 WDBO hurricane guide by clicking here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has just provided more details involving Phase 2 of the state’s reopening. He announced that gyms/fitness centers in Florida will reopen on Monday May 18th & restaurants have the ability to expand their indoor seating to 50% capacity. Governor DeSantis also makes statements on movie theaters & theme parks. Phase 1 initially allowed restaurants and retail stores to reopen with certain limitations and also allowed hospitals to start elective surgeries again. The governor later allowed hair and nail salons to reopen their doors. >>>FOR MORE COVID-19 COVERAGE, CLICK HERE<<<

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will make an announcement about re-opening gyms in Florida on Friday. During a press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis said that he will make an announcement about gyms in Florida come Friday. 'We're going to have an announcement tomorrow that's going to encompass the gyms,' DeSantis said. Gyms and fitness centers were initially shut down to help prevent the spread of the virus. DeSantis did not say if gyms would reopen, but he did hint that that may change. When asked about re-opening gyms, he argued that if someone is in good shape, they're likely to recover from the coronavirus. 'First of all, this is a virus that if you’re in good shape, you’re probably gonna be OK,' DeSantis said. 'So why dissuade people from going to be in shape?' DeSantis also said that he is extending the executive order to suspend foreclosures and evictions to June 2.

All Publix stores are expanding to the operational hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting Saturday. The grocery chain made the announcement Thursday saying the adjustment also ends reserved shopping hours for first responders and health workers. Publix pharmacies will also resume regular hours. “Starting Saturday, May 16, Publix stores will open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the pharmacy will return to regular operating hours. Thank you for your patience over the past several weeks while we’ve operated under reduced hours,” Publix said in a release. Since March, Publix has reduced operating hours to last from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. when store shelves started to empty as shoppers scrambled to stock up on items like disinfectant, toilet paper and food.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he has extended an executive order intended to prevent foreclosures and evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. The executive order, which was issued April 2 to help provide relief for those struggling financially during the pandemic, was set to expire on May 17. The governor announced the extension would last until June 2 during a press conference The order was designed to suspends evictions because of nonpayment of rent for 45 days. Read: Orlando residents receive eviction notices after DeSantis issues order to temporarily stop them DeSantis said Wednesday he’ll have an official announcement on the extension “pretty soon.” Roughly 36 million people across the country have filed for jobless aid in the two months since the coronavirus first forced millions of businesses to close their doors and shrink staffs, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The Florida National Guard has announced they will do a flyover in the Orlando sky Wednesday as a thank you to healthcare workers and first responders. They write, “Two F-15C’s from the Florida National Guard will begin their overflight of the city at approximately 11:35 a.m.”

The Central Florida Zoo announced Monday, that the park and Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 13th. In-park attendance will be reduced to 50% of outdoor capacity, online timed ticketing will be required for all guests, one-way pathways will be established, there will be reduced operating hours to allow for additional cleaning and all visitors are “strongly encouraged” to wear masks for their own safety, as well as, the safety of zoo staff and the animals. Hours of operations for now will be from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Zoo officials said their reopening and modified operations plan was approved by Seminole County Emergency Management officials. Guests should also know, that based on current State guidelines, the Zoo’s indoor venues will remain closed, including the Insect Zoo, Zoofari Outpost Gift Shop, Bear House, and Herpetarium. High touch points in the Zoo, including the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground and the KaBoom! Playground will be closed. In-park feedings and encounters are suspended until further notice. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford has been closed since March 14, due to coronavirus.